“Life is a mosaic of pleasure and pain -
grief is an interval between two moments
of joy. Peace is the interlude between two wars. You have no rose without a
thorn;
the diligent picker will avoid the pricks and gather the flower.”

It's a little
known fact that I'm almost as big a Marty Robbins fan as I am of Frank Sinatra.
Shhhh. It'll be our secret.
Yes, I know this is really a Bobby Darin song. Don't confuse my "mind"
with facts.

Thanks
for all the prayers and love shared by Sylvia's friends and your web site. This picture was taken
today at her weekly bible study group at Palms Presbyterian Church. The
prayer shawl
was knitted by another church group and prayed upon by many others.

She was fitted with a mold today
for radiation treatment which starts the 10th along with chemo. Other
good news is the bronchial scope and lymph node biopsy done last week
was also negative so she stays at stage 3A. I am so happy with the
results and that she will finally start treatment which I am sure will
cure her of this dreadful disease.

Thanks to all and keep the
prayers coming.

Sincerely,
Phil Hammond

Monday, January 27, 2014

This is great news,
Phil! Thank you so much for
telling us, and give Sylvia our love!

A CaringBridge Site was created for Sylvia Hammond. It's a caring social
network to help people stay connected with family and friends during a
health event. Visit Sylvia's site often to stay updated and share
messages of encouragement and compassion.

For certain I thought Alexandria’s city council would be inundated with
protestors and history lovers, most especially from the likes of Sons of
Confederate Veterans, VMI graduates flashing their class rings with the
stars and bars and possibly a band playing “Dixie” or “Carry Me Back to
Old Virginny.”

They escaped.

Willard Scott

Missing also was Willard Scott, famous city native, beloved NBC
weatherman and history buff of the War of Northern Aggression.

It would not have been surprising if some history professor brought up
the old saying, repeated by numerous writers, “Those who don’t know
history are doomed to repeat it.” We always do.

So what’s the battle?

A couple of weeks ago news broke that Councilman Justin Wilson,
of historical Del Ray, the city’s sin capital a century ago, introduced
a bill that some old-timers thought would banish naming city streets for
Confederate generals who many consider heroes.

Second reading on Mr. Wilson’s proposal was scheduled (Jan. 25).

Along with the no naming, council will also eliminate an old ordinance
preventing lewd co-habitation in the city. No squawks on this.

ALEXANDRIA TO OKAY COHABITATION

“I figured we’d get all kinds of calls on the cohabitation code but not
a complaint,” Wilson told me.

Gov. John Dalton

“I also figured we’d get lots of calls about the street naming but we
received only one,” he said. It’s unlikely the city will be naming any
more streets after any one, CSA or not. The city is built out; no room
for any more streets.

Seems like lots of time is being spent re-writing history in Alexandria.
The city was occupied by Union Troops during the North and South
unpleasantness. Heck, Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust, the nation’s
oldest bank, handled the money of both the Union and Confederacy. Good
business.

A few years ago a treasure trove of the Robert E. Lee family artifacts
were uncovered in the basement of the bank. This was shared with the
Virginia Historical Society in Richmond.

There are streets named for General Lee, General Beauregard, Stonewall
Jackson, J.E.B Stuart (high school, too), all from the CSA, then there’s
Union Street downtown in Old Town, and a street named for Col. Elmer
Ellsworth in the city’s West End near historic Virginia Theological
Seminary.
Non-history buffs may want to know about Ellsworth. He was, 24, a friend
of Abraham Lincoln, and the first Union officer killed. A plaque
commemorates his demise in downtown. Lincoln cried.

Those who’d like to rewrite Old Dominion history should consider Robert
Skimin’s 1988 novel, Gray Victory. The premise is simple. The war ended
in a truce with the Union accepting the CSA. Lincoln was not
assassinated, was succeeded by George B. McClellan and the peace
recognized the South’s Independence. Everyone was back in love.

Well, novels are fiction, so is Gray Victory.

Randolph Sengel

If by some chance names are needed soon, there are some good ones to
consider — Mills
Godwin,Douglas Wilder,John Dalton,Henry Howell,John Warnerand
Randolph Sengel.
Good Virginians and worthy. They never forgot the Commonwealth’s past.

One can be at the top of
the world at one point and have it drastically change and vice versa.

Did you know who in 1923 was:

1. President of the largest steel company?
2. President of the largest gas company?
3. President of the New York Stock Exchange?
4. Greatest wheat speculator?
5. President of the Bank of International Settlement?
6. Great Bear of Wall Street?

These men should have been considered some of the World's most
successful men. At least they found the secret of making money.

Now more than 76 years later, do you know what has become of these men?

1. The President of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, died a
pauper.
2. The President of the largest gas company, Edward Hopson, is insane.
3. The President of the N.Y.S.E., Richard Whitney, was released from
prison to die at home.
4. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cooger, died abroad, penniless.
5. The President of the Bank of International Settlement shot himself.
6. The Great Bear of Wall Street, Cosabee Rivermore, died of suicide.

The same year, 1923, the winner of the most important golf championship,
Gene Sarazan, won the U.S. Open and PGA Tournaments. He died 5/13/99, at
the age of 97.............

WOW! Thank you, Shari!

From My Friend, Josy, of AL - 01/28/14 - "Welcome":

"Ain't it
da truth?!? Thanks, Josy!

BONUS PRAYER SHAWL CROCHET PATTERNS:

Cozy Comfort Prayer Shawl- "This is an easy crochet
pattern that is great for beginners. Make a cozy comfort prayer shawl to
lift your spirits or to give it to a friend in need. There's nothing
better than spiritual guidance from a friend."

Pink Ribbon Prayer Shawl- "This Pink
Ribbon Prayer Shawl offers a lot more than just warmth. Work up this
free crochet pattern to create a magical crocheted shawl that will also
provide love, support, and prayers to those that wear it. The Pink
Ribbon Prayer Shawl was designed to mimic the symbolic breast cancer
awareness ribbon and measures approximately 14 inches wide by 64 inches
long. Wear this to show your support, or give it to someone in need of a
little extra TLC."

Barbara's

Sunset Shawl -
"If you know someone in need of warmth, this Sunset Shawl is the perfect
pattern to give as a gift. This beautiful crocheted shawl is an easy
prayer shawl pattern to complete. It begins as a basic triangular shaped
shawl, but turns into a batwing shaped piece as you add the border. The
earth toned colors are perfect for any time of the year, but the light
and lacy design makes this especially appropriate for spring and summer.
It's a great item to wear over a tank top of sleeveless blouse. "

Maria Merlino's

Angel Wing Prayer Shawl-
"If you're looking for a special pattern to make someone then this
angel wing prayer shawl is just the ticket. The pineapple stitch is used
to make this beautiful shawl."

"The female dormitory is out-of-bounds for all male students, and the
male dormitory to the female students. Anybody caught breaking this rule
will be fined $20 the first time. The second time you will be fined $60.
A third time will cost you a fine of $180. Are there any questions?"

A male student inquired, "How much for a season pass?"

DATES TO REMEMBER:

1.
Thursday, February 6, 2014 - The NNHS Class of 1955 holds
Lunch Bunch gatherings on the first Thursday of every month
at Steve & John's Steak House on Jefferson Avenue just above
Denbigh Boulevard in Newport News at 11:00 AM. The luncheon
is not limited to just the Class of '55; if you have friends
in that year, go visit with them.

2. Wednesday, February 12, 2014
- The NNHS Class of June 1942 meets at noon on the second
Wednesday of every other month for a Dutch treat lunch at
the James River Country Club, 1500 Country Club Road. PLEASE
JOIN THEM. Give or take a few years makes no difference.
Good conversation, food and atmosphere. For details, call
Jennings Bryan at 803-7701 for reservations.